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Game One Box Score (PDF) | Game Two Box Score (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (18-19, 14-14 MAC)  returned to action on Wednesday, taking on Akron (5-33, 4-20 MAC) in a doubleheader, splitting the two games. The Bobcats won game one, 8-2, before falling in game two, 7-3. Overall, the Bobcats won the season series with the Zips, 3-1. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 8, Akron 2
Ohio out-hit Akron, 10-5 and did not commit an error, while the Zips recorded two. Sophomore catcher Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while freshman infielder Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) had two hits, a triple and one run scored. Senior outfielder Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) added two hits, an RBI and a run scored, while junior infielder Caroline Spacek (Beaumont) recorded and RBI double. 

The Bobcats struck first in the top of the second innings, capitalizing on a leadoff triple from freshman infielder Paoli when Spacek recorded a sacrifice fly to give Ohio an early 1-0 lead. Akron went on to tie the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI triple from Madison Dudek, knotting the game at 1-1 going to the third. 

Ohio retook the lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI double from graduate student infielder Mikenzie Vaughn (Kennesaw, Ga.) that scored Bernard from second, giving Ohio a 2-1 lead. However, Akron again tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. 

The Bobcats' offense took over in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. The inning was capped off by a two-run RBI single from Bernard that helped the Bobcats take a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats added another run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single from Englant that scored freshman outfielder Emily Walker (Plain City, Ohio), giving Ohio a 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the frame. 

Ohio added on two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Spacek scored on an RBI single from junior outfielder Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) and immediately after, Walker tripled to right center, scoring Fogue and putting Ohio up 8-2 going into the final frame. 

Akron threatened to put some runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning, however, the Ohio defense forced the Zips to leave a runner on third, sealing the 8-2 victory. 

In the circle, junior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walked three and struck out four. For Akron, the combination of junior Olivia Otani, freshman Sheridon Wilber and redshirt sophomore Lexie Petrof pitched seven innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, walked five and struck out two. 

GAME TWO: Akron 7, Ohio 3
The Zips out-hit the Bobcats 7-5 in the second game, while Englant, senior unfielder Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio), Spacek, Fogue, Walker and Vaughn all had hits for the Bobcats. 

Akron got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning on a three-run homerun from Stefanoni, giving the Zips the early 3-0 lead. 

The Bobcats finally got on the bard in the top of the fifth inning when Fogue scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore pinch hitter Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.), cutting the Zips' lead to 3-1. 

Akron added on in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 7-1 lead after a grand slam from redshirt freshman Laurel DeVoe.

The Bobcats got two runs in the top of the seventh inning with the help of an RBI single from Englant, however, would fall 7-3. 

In the circle, senior Madi McCrady (Brimfield, Ohio), got the start, pitching five and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out seven. Freshman Cassidy Zaker (Lancaster, Ohio) pitched two-thirds of an inning and did not allow a run or a hit. For Akron, freshman Olivia Stefanoni pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walked four and struck out four. 

UP NEXT
The Bobcats will be off this weekend, but are back in Athens on Tuesday, May 4 for a doubleheader with Miami. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Ohio Softball Field. 

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